• A powerful, muscular brown bull sits on a throne, cradling a dark-haired woman, oil on canvas by Phaedra.
  • The Foreign Mother — Abstract art — detail 2 — painting by Phaedra | VanArtHub original art
  • The Foreign Mother — Abstract art — detail 3 — painting by Phaedra | VanArtHub original art
  • The Foreign Mother – detail 4 – Surrealist Art by Phaedra | VanArtHub
  • The Foreign Mother — Abstract art — detail 5 — painting by Phaedra | VanArtHub original art
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Original art by Phaedra VanArtHub, Vancouver

The Foreign Mother: Original Artwork by Phaedra | VanArtHub

Oil on Canvas27.6 × 39.4 in2025One-of-a-kind original

A surreal depiction of a cow-human figure cradling an adult human child, exploring themes of dependency and disquieting care.

$1,807.00 CAD
$1,807.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Free insured shipping to Canada and the USA.
  • 14-day free trial Full refund, we pay return shipping
  • Free insured shipping Canada 3 to 7 days · USA 5 to 10
  • Certificate of Authenticity Signed original, included
  • Lifetime Trade-Back Trade in for store credit, any time

See it in person. Our gallery is at 1242 Davie Street, Vancouver, open seven days a week. Call (604) 401-9499 to check this piece is on the wall before you come, or plan your visit.

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The story behind this piece

In 'The Foreign Mother,' a surreal scene unfolds as a hybrid cow-human figure solemnly cradles an adult human child, evoking a haunting tension and a sense of deep introspection. The painting captures a stillness that is both captivating and unsettling, inviting the viewer to delve into its layers of meaning.



The work serves as a powerful commentary on themes of nurture and dependency, symbolizing humanity's reliance on others through an unexpected inversion. The milk, once associated with purity and health, becomes instead a metaphor for detachment and denial, challenging the comforting myths surrounding consumption. With subtle yet impactful symbolism, the piece echoes a raw truth about human habits and detachment from nature, epitomized by the piercing beam of light as a persistent conscience.



This artwork invites introspective viewers and collectors interested in social commentary to reflect on the quiet violence inherent in societal norms. 'The Foreign Mother' resonates deeply with those who appreciate psychological art that challenges perceptions and evokes thoughtful contemplation.



Artist: Phaedra Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 100 × 70 cm (approx. 39.4 × 27.6 in) Year: 2025 Collection: Disturbing Light

Shipping, trial and returns
  • Free, fully insured shipping. Delivery takes 3 to 7 business days in Canada and 5 to 10 in the USA. Every piece is professionally packed and insured door to door.
  • 14-day free trial. Live with the painting for 14 days. If it is not right for your space, return it for a full refund and we pay the return shipping.
  • Certificate of Authenticity. A signed certificate ships with the artwork, confirming it is a one-of-a-kind original.
  • Lifetime Trade-Back. Your taste can change. Trade this piece back at any time for store credit toward another original.
  • Ships from Vancouver, Canada. Packed by the gallery and tracked all the way to your door.

Technical details

Size
27.6 × 39.4 in
Medium
Oil on Canvas
Subject
Surreal Figure
Style
Contemporary Conceptualism
Artist
Phaedra
Year
2025
Edition
Original, one of a kind
Authenticity
Certificate of Authenticity included
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Part of: Abstract Surrealism Oil Paintings
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About this artwork

Artwork Statement

Milk is the first thing that connects a mother to her baby. But somehow, as adults, we never stopped drinking it, we just switched to milk from another mother: a cow.

Advertising shows us a clean white bottle, a fresh and healthy drink, with no sign of the animal behind it. But if we stop and really look, we see what's actually happening, a grown person drinking milk that was made for a baby cow, not for us.

This painting is about that moment of not wanting to see. We've grown used to the idea that we need cow's milk, and we keep believing it without questioning where it comes from.

The harsh light in the scene is like our conscience, the truth we'd rather not look at. We close our eyes hoping it will go away. But it doesn't.

Interior Design Use

This piece would serve as a compelling focal point in a contemporary living room, study, or a spacious bedroom. Its rich colors and profound imagery would spark conversation and add a deeply contemplative, yet bold, artistic statement to any sophisticated space.

Technical Details

  • Artist: Phaedra
  • Medium: Oil on Canvas
  • Size: 27.6 x 39.4 in (70 x 100 cm)
  • Year: 2025
  • Type: One-of-a-kind original
  • Certificate of Authenticity: Included

Questions about this painting

How big is The Foreign Mother, and what size wall does it suit?
The Foreign Mother by Phaedra measures 27.6 by 39.4 inches (70 by 100 cm), so it is portrait, taller than it is wide. VanArtHub suggests hanging it over a wall space or piece of furniture at least 41 inches wide, which keeps the painting at roughly two thirds of the width below it. Measure your wall before you order, and remember the 14-day trial covers you if the scale is not right in the room.
Is The Foreign Mother an original painting or a print?
The Foreign Mother is a one-of-a-kind original painted by Phaedra, oil on canvas. VanArtHub sells originals only and does not sell prints or reproductions of this work, so once it is bought there is no second copy. A signed Certificate of Authenticity ships with the painting.
What is shown in The Foreign Mother?
A vegan/animal-rights artwork about the dairy industry. A human cradled by a cow-figure, questioning why adults drink cow's milk. Challenges the myth that humans need dairy milk. The subject is lounge art, surrealist art. It was painted by Phaedra and is titled The Foreign Mother.
What colours are in The Foreign Mother?
The dominant colour in The Foreign Mother by Phaedra is brown. The style is figurative, surrealism. If you are matching a room, work from the wall colour and the largest piece of furniture rather than from small accessories, and use the 14-day trial to see the painting in your own light before you commit.
Which room does The Foreign Mother suit?
This piece would serve as a compelling focal point in a contemporary living room, study, or a spacious bedroom. Its rich colors and profound imagery would spark conversation and add a deeply contemplative, yet bold, artistic statement to any sophisticated space. The Foreign Mother was painted by Phaedra.
Who painted The Foreign Mother?
The Foreign Mother was painted by Phaedra, an artist represented by VanArtHub, a gallery based in Vancouver, Canada. You can see the rest of Phaedra's available and past work at https://vanarthub.com/pages/phaedra.
When was The Foreign Mother painted?
The Foreign Mother by Phaedra was painted in 2025, oil on canvas. It is a recent original rather than a reissue or a later copy.
How much does The Foreign Mother cost, and what is included in the price?
The Foreign Mother by Phaedra is $1,807.00 CAD at VanArtHub. That price includes free fully insured shipping to Canada and the USA, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and the 14-day trial. There is no framing charge, no delivery charge, and no buyer's premium on top.
Can I return The Foreign Mother if it does not suit my wall?
Yes. Every painting VanArtHub sells, including The Foreign Mother by Phaedra, comes with a 14-day trial. Hang it at home, and if it is not right, return it within 14 days for a full refund. VanArtHub pays the return shipping, so trying the piece costs you nothing.
How long does shipping take for The Foreign Mother, and does it cost extra?
Shipping is free and fully insured. The Foreign Mother ships from VanArtHub in Vancouver, Canada, and delivery takes 3 to 7 business days within Canada and 5 to 10 business days to the USA. The painting is professionally packed and tracked door to door, and it is insured for its full value the whole way.
Is The Foreign Mother still available?
Yes, The Foreign Mother by Phaedra is available to buy at VanArtHub as of today. It is a one-of-a-kind original, so there is only one of it and it is gone once it sells.
What if my taste changes after buying The Foreign Mother?
VanArtHub offers a Lifetime Trade-Back. You can trade The Foreign Mother back to the gallery at any time, with no deadline, and put the credit toward a different original. Because every piece is one of a kind, the trade-back is what lets a collection change over the years without a loss.

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